Method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel

ABSTRACT

A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/842,942, filed Feb. 27, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the manufacture of cast aluminum products and, in particular, to an improved method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel.

In producing cast aluminum alloy products, such as vehicle wheels, it is generally necessary, after the initial casting operation, to subject the casting to a series of metal treatment steps in order to produce a casting having the desired tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and fatigue strength properties. These steps include: (1) a "solution heat treatment" (SHT) process and (2) an "aging" (i.e., precipitation hardening) process. In the SHT process, an aluminum alloy casting is first heated to a "solution" temperature of about 1000° F. for a predetermined time such that certain soluble constituents contained in the alloy (such as age hardening constituent magnesium silicide Mg₂ Si) are dissolved into "solid solution". The casting is then immediately and rapidly cooled (such as by quenching in a water bath) to retain the constituents in solid solution. This prevents rapid precipitation of the associated constituents which would otherwise occur if the casting were allowed to slowly cool through a certain temperature range. Next, during the "aging" process, the hardening constituents are precipitated out of the solution in a controlled manner to produce a casting having the desired mechanical properties. The aging is effected either "naturally" at room temperature over a period of at least 10-12 hours, or it can be "accelerated" by heating the casting to an elevated temperature for a shorter period of time (e.g. 450° F. for 30 minutes).

The conventional method of producing gravity-cast aluminum wheels includes initially pouring a suitable molten aluminum alloy, such as A356 aluminum, into a mold through its gate channel until the molten alloy flows upwardly through one or more mold risers. After the molten alloy has completely solidified, the casting is removed from the mold, at which time it can be degated (i.e., the portion of the casting which solidified in the gate channel is cut off) and quenched in water to cool the casting to room temperature. The casting is then derisered (i.e., the riser portions of the casting are removed) and subjected to fluoroscope inspection to locate any obvious casting defects.

Next, a group of wheels (typically between about 70 and 350), are loaded onto racks and subjected to a "batch" solution heat treatment process. The batch solution heat treatment process is effected by placing the racks in a large gas-fired or electrical-resistance forced air convection oven. In the convection oven, the castings are heated to a desired "solution" temperature (approximately 1000° F.) and are maintained at this temperature for approximately 2 to 8 hours. Following heating, the batch of wheels are immediately quenched in water to rapidly cool the wheels. Following cooling, the wheels are machined and painted and/or clear coated, during which time they are naturally aged at room temperature.

One of the problems associated with the above method for producing cast aluminum wheels relates to the amount of "work-in-process" which occurs as a result of the long process times. It is known that once a casting is heated to the correct "solution" temperature, proper solution heat treatment will occur within about 5 minutes. However, since a large number of wheels are heated during the batch solution heat treatment process, it is difficult to maintain even and uniform temperatures in all the wheels. Thus, to ensure that all the wheels are properly heat treated, the time to solution heat treat the wheels is usually at least two hours.

On a conservative estimate, the above described series of metal treatment steps, beginning with the casting of the wheel and through both the solution heat treatment and aging processes, require at least 12 hours to produce the wheels and more realisticly, takes closer to about 24 hours. Thus, any defect in the wheels (which is typically located during machining) is not readily discoverable until a relatively large number of wheels are "in process". As a result, a large number of wheels can be produced before a casting defect is discovered. In addition, since the wheels are cooled to room temperature prior to being solution heat treated, additional energy (and time) is needed to reheat the wheels up to the specific temperature necessary for solution heat treatment.

One alternate method for producing aluminum alloy castings, such as a piston, is disclosed in U.K. Patent No. 390,244. According to the method of this patent, an aluminum alloy material is cast in a mold and removed from the mold while the temperature is above 662° F. (350° C.). The casting is immediately placed in an oven maintained at a specific elevated temperature in the range of 788° to 968° F. (420° to 520° C.), and remains in the oven for a time period between 10 and 30 minutes. Following heating, the casting is quenched in water, and then either naturally or artificially aged.

Other methods for producing a cast article of aluminum alloy material are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,420,345 and 4,419,143, both issued to Ito et al. According to the methods in these patents, an aluminum-silicon-magnesium alloy or an aluminum-silicon-copper-magnesium alloy containing 0.03 to 1.0% by weight of antimony is cast into a mold. Then, after the casting has completely solidified but before the temperature has fallen below 842° F. (450° C.), the casting is placed in a heating furnace maintained at a specific elevated temperature in the range of 896° to 1022° F. (480° to 550° C.), for a time period of less than 2 hours. Following heating, the casting is quenched in water and then subjected to an artificial aging process at a specific elevated temperature for less than 12 hours.

The methods disclosed in all of the above patents reduce the time to solution heat treat the cast aluminum article by not allowing the casting to cool below a certain temperature before initiating solution heat treatment. However, they all still utilize forced air convection furnaces to solution heat treat and/or artificially age the castings. Some drawbacks of forced convection furnaces include lengthly heat-up time before reaching processing temperature, difficulty in obtaining uniform temperature distribution, and sometimes inconsistent product quality.

Recently, electric infrared (IR) heating systems have received increasing attention in certain industrial applications. In an infrared heating system, a product is heated by generating electromagnetic radiation waves at a specific frequency and intensity, and directing these waves at the product. The particular frequency (i.e., wavelength) and intensity are selected in accordance with the particular heating requirements of the product. While infrared heating systems are used in a variety of different industrial applications, they are primarily used to dry and/or cure products with layers or thin films on their surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel wherein, instead of using a forced convection furnace to heat treat the wheel, an infrared heating system is used to either solution heat treat or artificially age the wheel or both. After the initial casting operation, the wheel is maintained in the mold until its temperature has fallen sufficiently to prevent "center pull" deformation when the wheel is removed from the mold (to about 800° F.). Thereafter, the wheel is removed from the mold and preferably degated, and solution heat treatment of the wheel is preferably initiated before the wheel temperature has fallen to a point wherein significant precipitation of hardening constituents from the "solution" occurs. This temperature is preferably above about 700° F. (371° C.). Generally, the time between removal from the mold and the commencement of the solution heat treatment process is less than about 2 minutes.

A first infrared heating system is used to effect solution heat treatment of the wheel. The first infrared heating system rapidly heats the wheel to a temperature in a solution heat treatment range of 980° to 1025° F. (526° to 552° C.) and maintains that temperature for a period of 2 to 10 minutes to dissolve the age hardening constituents. Preferably, the wheel is indexed through an infrared heating system having a series of separate heating stations for individually heating each wheel.

Each infrared heating station includes means for monitoring the actual temperature of the wheel, and the heating of the wheel at each station is controlled in accordance with its monitored temperature. One method of control includes monitoring the wheel temperature during the initial rapid heating. The heat energy supplied to the wheel is reduced when the wheel temperature reaches a predetermined temperature in the solution heat treatment temperature range. An alternate control method includes measuring an initial wheel temperature. Based upon the initial wheel temperature, an initial rapid heating period is determined. When the initial heating period ends, the the heat energy supplied to the wheel is reduced. Also, for future reference, the heating temperatures and times for each wheel can be recorded.

Immediately after the heating operation, the wheel is quenched in water to ensure that substantially all the age hardening constituents are retained in "solid" solution. After this quenching operation, a second infrared heating system is used to effect accelerated artificial aging of the wheel. The second infrared heating system heats the wheel to a temperature in the range of 400° to 500° F. (204° to 260° C.) for a period of 2 to 10 minutes. Preferably, the second infrared heating system is integrated with the first infrared heating system and includes separate heating stations for individually heating each wheel immediately after the wheel has been quenched. Following aging, the wheel is derisered, machined, and coated.

This method improves the manufacturing efficiency normally associated with producing cast wheels and enables a finished wheel to be completed in approximately 30 to 60 minutes after the initial casting operation. Thus, the amount of "work-in-process" is substantially reduced.

Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an aluminum alloy wheel casting (shown with its outboard side facing downwardly) which is produced in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the steps of the method of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the time-temperature parameters preferably followed by the method of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an infrared heating system used in producing a cast aluminum wheel according to the method of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4 and showing one of the individual infrared heating stations.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of an infrared heating system which can be used in producing a cast aluminum wheel according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a further alternate embodiment of an infrared heating system.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for a closed loop control method for the heating system used in producing a cast aluminum wheel according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a temperature/time graph for the control method shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for an alternate embodiment of the control method shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for another embodiment of the control method shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for an open loop control method for the heating system used in producing a cast aluminum wheel according to the invention.

FIG. 13 is a temperature/time graph for the control method shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating the functional relationship between the initial wheel heating time and the wheel temperature for the control method shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for an alternate embodiment of the control method shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the functional relationship between the initial wheel heating time and the wheel temperature and weight for the control method shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an elevational view of a typical gravity cast aluminum alloy vehicle wheel, indicated generally at 10, which can be produced in accordance with the method of this invention. When gravity cast, molten aluminum is poured into the associated mold (not shown) through a channel to form a gate 12 and, as the molding cavity is filled, the molten aluminum flows upwardly into a center riser 13 and a rim (or side) riser 14. It will be appreciated that, while the invention is illustrated and described herein in conjunction with a wheel formed by the gravity casting method, the invention can be used with other casting methods such as, for example, low pressure, squeeze, pore free, semi-solid and die casting. With these other methods, the wheel would be cast without a gate 12 or risers 13 and 14.

Also, while the drawings and description herein show producing a cast "one piece" wheel 10, the invention can be practiced to form only a cast component of a multi-piece wheel such as, for example, a center spider portion (not shown), which is then secured to a separately formed rim (not shown) in a known manner to form the finished wheel. The cast component can also be the full front face of the wheel which is subsequently secured to a formed partial rim. As used in this description and the following claims, the term "wheel" includes not only a one piece cast wheel, but also a cast component of a multi-piece wheel.

The wheel 10 can be cast from a suitable aluminum casting alloy material such as, for example, A356 aluminum. This type of aluminum generally includes approximately, by weight, 6.0 to 7.5% silicon, 0.25 to 0.45% magnesium, about 0.20% iron, about 0.20% titanium, 0.008 to 0.04% strontium, and the balance aluminum. The term balance aluminum is intended to to include residual amounts of other elements which may be present in the alloy material, such as manganese, copper, calcium, antimony, zinc, barium, carbon, zirconium, and sodium. The strontium is used as a casting modifier to lower the required solution heating time. Other suitable casting alloys include A333 or A357 aluminum, or magnesium.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the particular method of this invention will now be discussed. Initially, in step 20, molten aluminum alloy at a temperature T₁ (about 1300° F.) is poured into a gravity type mold (not shown) at time t₀ to form a casting having roughly the desired final shape of the wheel 10. The wheel 10 remains in the mold until its temperature has fallen sufficiently to prevent any "center pull" wheel deformation when the wheel 10 is removed from the mold (shown in FIG. 3 as temperature T₂ at time t₁), and is then immediately subjected to a solution heat treat process prior to its temperature falling to a point where significant precipitation of the hardening constituents has occurred (shown as temperature T₃ at time t₂). "Center pull" deformation occurs when the temperature of the wheel has not cooled sufficiently to allow the wheel to be pulled from the mold without deforming its shape. While the particular temperature may vary depending on the particular construction of the casting, it has been found that, in most instances, the temperature T₂ of a typical wheel 10 formed from A356 aluminum must fall below about 800° F. to prevent "center pull" deformation. In step 22, when the wheel 10 is removed from the mold, the gate 12 and the risers 13 and 14, shown in FIG. 1, remain as part of the casting.

After the wheel 10 has been removed from the mold, it is preferable to degate the wheel 10, in step 24, and then initiate an SHT process, in step 26, as soon as possible thereafter and prior to significant precipitation of the age hardening constituents (e.g., Mg₂ Si) in the hot casting. However, as will be discussed below, the solution heat treatment of the wheel 10 can be initiated with the gate 12 remaining on the wheel 10, and the gate can be later removed. Depending upon the particular percentages of magnesium and silicon in the wheel 10, it is preferable that the temperature T₃ at time t₂ be no less than about 700° F. (371° C.) before SHT is initiated; however, in some instances, the temperature T₃ can fall to about 400° F. and still obtain satisfactory results. Normally, in order to maintain the desired temperature of the casting, the time between removal from the mold in step 22 (at time t₁) and the initiation of the SHT process in step 26 (at time t₂) is less than about 2 minutes.

In accordance with one feature of this invention, in step 26, an infrared heating system is used to effect individual solution heat treatment of the wheel 10. In step 26, the infrared heating system initially rapidly heats the wheel 10 up to a desired solution temperature T₄ within a time interval t₂ to t₃. Generally, the temperature T₄ is in the range of 980° to 1025° F. (527° to 552° C.), and the time interval t₂ to t₃ is approximately 1-4 minutes, depending on the initial temperature of wheel and the infrared heating rate. Once the wheel 10 reaches the desired temperature T₄, the infrared heating system maintains the wheel 10 at the temperature T₄ for a time interval t₃ to t₄, which is about 2-10 minutes. Preferably, for a wheel formed from A356 aluminum, the temperature T₄ is approximately 1000° F. (538° C.), the time t₂ to t.sub. 3 is about 1-2 minutes, and the time interval t₃ to t₄ is approximately 3-4 minutes. Thus, the total time interval t₂ to t₄ is about 5 minutes.

After completion of the solution heat treatment in step 26, the wheel 10 is immediately transferred to a water bath in step 28 within a time interval t₄ to t₅. Preferably, the time between completion of solution heat treatment in step 26 and commencement of quenching in step 28, is less than 10 seconds. In step 28, the wheel 10 is quenched in the water bath, and is then transferred to an accelerated artificial aging process in step 30, within a time interval t₅ to t₆. Preferably, the time interval t₅ to t₆ is around 45 seconds such that the total time interval t₄ to t₆, which represents the time between completion of solution heat treatment and commencement of artificially aging, is approximately 1 minute. The water bath is preferably maintained at a temperature in the range of 120° to 220° F. (48° to 104° C.).

In accordance with yet another feature of this invention, after the wheel 10 has been quenched in the water bath in step 28, an infrared heating system, in step 30, is used to effect the accelerated artificial aging process. Preferably, this occurs immediately after the quenching of step 28. In step 30, the infrared heating system initially heats the wheel 10 up to a desired aging temperature T₅ in a time interval t₆ to t₇, and then maintains the wheel 10 at the temperature T₅ for a time interval t₇ to t₈. The temperature T₅ is in the range of 400° to 500° F. (204° to 260° C.), the time interval t₆ to t₇ is approximately 1-4 minutes, and the time interval t₇ to t₈ is approximately 2-10 minutes. Preferably, the temperature T₅ is about 450° F., the time interval t₆ to t₇ is 1-2 minutes, and the time interval t₇ to t₈ is about 3-4 minutes, such that the total time interval t₆ to t₈ is around 5 minutes.

Immediately following the artificial aging process in step 30, the wheel 10, in step 32, is quenched in a water bath to cool the wheel for normal handling. After quenching, the wheel can be subjected to fluoroscope inspection, in step 34, to determine if the wheel 10 has any obvious casting defects. Following fluoroscope inspection, if the wheel 10 has not been degated in step 24 prior to being solution heat treated in step 26, the wheel 10 is degated in step 36 to remove the gate 12 from the casting. In step 38, the risers 13 and 14 are removed from the wheel 10. Following step 38, the wheel 10 is machined as necessary into its final desired shape. Finally, in step 42, the wheel 10 is clear coated (and/or painted if so desired), to produce the finished cast aluminum wheel.

In the preferred embodiment, the portion of the process beginning with the removal of the wheel 10 from the mold in step 22 at time t₁ and through the accelerated artificial aging of the wheel 10 and quenching in step 32 at time t₈, can be completed in less than 30 minutes and preferably, in less than 15 minutes. Since generally the time between step 30 and the machining in step 40 is less than about 30 minutes, a completed wheel, ready for coating, can be produced in less than 45 minutes. Thus, the use of infrared heating systems to effect both solution heat treat and artificial aging greatly reduced the process time as compared to the prior art methods. As a result, any defects in a wheel can be discovered before a large quantity of wheels have been produced. Further, the use of the infrared heating systems have been found to produce more uniform and consistent mechanical properties in the wheels.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown an example of an integrated infrared heating system, indicated generally at 44, which can be used to both solution heat treat and artificially age the cast aluminum alloy wheel 10. As shown therein, the infrared heat system 44 is an indexing type carousel arrangement and includes stations #1 through #12 for processing the wheel 10. The system 44 includes an indexing unit (not shown) for individually advancing wheels through the system at a predetermined rate. As will be discussed, stations #2 through #6 are operative to effect solution heat treat of the wheel 10, while stations #8 through #12 are operative to effect accelerated artificial aging of the wheel 10.

Initially, an individual wheel 10 is loaded onto the indexing unit at station #1. The indexing unit rotates about an axis A and maintains a single wheel at each station for approximately 55-60 seconds, with an indexing time from one station to the next of less than three seconds. Accordingly, the total time required to index a wheel through the integrated infrared heating system 44 in order to both solution heat treat and artificially age the wheel, is less than 13 minutes.

Each of the stations #1 through #6 and #8 through #12 is provided with a separate means for sensing the actual temperature of the wheel at the respective station, such as temperature sensors 46. It has been found preferable to use one or more optical pyrometers at each station as the means for detecting the actual wheel temperature. Each temperature sensor 46 generates a signal representative of the temperature of the wheel 10 at the respective station. The temperature sensors are connected to a control unit (PLU) 48 which, as will be discussed, functions to separately control the heating of the wheel at each heating station. In FIG. 4, stations #2-#6 and #8-#12 are heating stations and are provided with high intensity heating ovens similar to that shown in FIG. 5.

The control unit 48 is operative to control the heating at each individual station by generating controlled power signals on lines 50 one of which is illustrated in FIG. 4, to a plurality of infrared emitters 52 (shown in FIG. 5). As will be described below, the power signals are controlled in response to the monitored temperature of the respective wheel, and the desired heating phase of the process. In addition, the control unit 48 generates a signal to a recorder (REC) 51. The recorder 51 is operative to maintain an individual record of the heating temperatures and times of each wheel as the wheel is indexed through the system 44. Thus, if a wheel (which is later machined and coded with an identifying number) is found to be defective as a result of the heat treating process, the recorder 51 can be used to identify the specific time/temperature profile for that wheel and then identify any other wheels heated with similar profiles. As a result, the recorder 51 can quickly identify those wheels which were heated at the same temperatures as the defective wheel, and only the identified wheels need initially be checked for possible defects.

As previously mentioned, the solution heat treat process is commenced as quickly as possible after the casting operation, and preferably the wheel 10 is indexed to station #2 before its temperature has fallen below 700° F. At this point, a high intensity electric infrared heating oven 54, which is best shown in FIG. 5, is actuated to begin to heat the wheel 10 up to the temperature necessary to effect solution heat treatment. The high intensity electric infrared heating oven 54 includes a generally rectangular shaped enclosure 56 having an upper wall 58, a lower wall 60, and two side walls 62. The lower wall 60 is provided with an opening 64 formed therein.

The plurality of high intensity electric infrared emitters 52 are disposed within the enclosure 56 for generating infrared radiation in order to heat the wheel 10 in the desired manner. The emitters 52 are located near the upper wall 58, each of the side walls 62, and the lower wall 60 of the oven 54 on opposite sides of the opening 64. In the preferred embodiment, the high intensity electric infrared emitters 52 can be tungsten filament quartz lamps with 100 watt per inch power density. If necessary the emitters 52 can be grouped into a plurality of individual zones, and the heating of each zone can be separately controlled.

As shown in FIG. 5, the interior of the enclosure 56 is lined with insulation 66 to minimize the heat loss and increase the heating efficiency of each oven 54. A passageway 68 is provided in each enclosure 56 through which the wheel 10 is indexed. Also, appropriate ductwork 70 is provided in each enclosure 56 to supply cooling air to the emitters 52 to prevent them from overheating.

The indexing unit includes a plurality of spindle assemblies, one located at each station, and which are rotatable about an axis B and which extend upwardly through the opening 64 of the lower wall 60. The spindle assembly 72 includes a vertical shaft 74 having a bracket 76 releasably secured thereto for supporting the wheel 10. The bracket 76 is specially designed to support the particular wheel configuration. The spindle assembly 72 is coupled to a power rotating assembly (not shown) for rotating the wheel 10 (preferably at a speed of about 3-5 r.p.m.) about the axis B of the spindle assembly 72 as the wheel is being subject to infrared radiation at the respective heating station.

At station #2, the infrared emitters 52 begin to rapidly heat the wheel 10 at a rate of about 100° to 200° F. (43° to 93° C.) per minute. Normally, due to the initial temperature of the wheel when heating begins, and the indexing cycle of the system, the wheel will not reach the desired solution temperature at station #2. Thus, when the wheel 10 is indexed to station #3, it is heated at about the same rate until the temperature of the wheel 10 reaches the desired solution temperature in the range of 980° to 1025° F. (527° to 552° C.). Thereafter, the heat energy supplied by the infrared emitters 52 is reduced to maintain the temperature of the wheel at the desired solution temperature (through stations #4-#6) until the end of the solution heat treat cycle.

Next, after the wheel 10 is indexed from station #6 to station #7, it is lifted from its associated spindle assembly 72, and is immediately quenched in a water tank 74. Immediately thereafter, the wheel 10 is returned to its spindle assembly 72 and is indexed to station #8 to begin an accelerated artificial aging process. Alternatively, the wheel 10 can be cooled to room temperature after is has been quenched at station #7 and then unloaded onto a conveyor 76 and then derisered, machined, painted, and naturally aged in the conventional manner.

At station #8, the control unit 48, in response to the monitored temperature of the wheel, generates power signals to the associated emitters to begin to heat the wheel at a predetermined rate (preferably at 100°-200° F. per minute) up to the desired aging temperature which, as previously mentioned, is preferably in the range of 400° to 500° F. (204° to 260° C.). Normally, due to the initial temperature of the wheel when heating begins, and the indexing cycle of the system, the wheel will not reach the desired aging temperature at station #8. Thus, once the wheel 10 is indexed to station #9, it continues to be heated at about the same rate until the desired aging temperature is reached. Thereafter, the control 48 accurately maintains the wheel at the desired aging temperature through stations #10-#12 until the completion of the aging process.

Finally, the wheel 10 is indexed from station #12 to station #1 and where it is lifted from the station and is quenched in a water tank 78 to cool the wheel for further handling. The wheel 10 is then placed on a conveyor 80 which transfers the wheel to a location wherein the additional operations of steps 34-42 can be performed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a further example of a high intensity electric infrared heating system 90 which is similar to the high intensity electric infrared heating system 44 shown in FIG. 4, except that it is not an integrated heating system. As shown therein, the wheel 10 can be loaded at station #1 and indexed through heating stations #2 through #6 to effect either a solution heat treatment process or an accelerated artificial aging process of the wheel 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of yet a further example of a high intensity electric infrared heating system 92 which is similar to the high intensity electric infrared heating system 44 shown in FIG. 5, except that it is not configured in a carousel arrangement. As shown therein, the wheel 10 can be loaded at station #1 and moved through heating stations #2 through #6, which are arranged in straightline type configuration, to effect either a solution heat treatment process or an accelerated artificial aging process of the wheel 10.

Several control methods are available to control the amount and application rate of heat energy applied to each wheel during the above described heat treating processes. One such control method consists of monitoring the wheel temperature, T_(W), as a predetermined level of heat energy is applied to the wheel 10 to rapidly increase the temperature thereof. When T_(W) reaches a predetermined temperature included within a predetermined temperature range, the amount of heat energy applied to the wheel 10 is reduced to maintain the wheel 10 within the predetermined temperature range. Because the actual temperature of the wheel is used to control the level of heat energy applied to the wheel, the control method constitutes a form of closed loop feedback control.

The above described closed loop control method is illustrated by the flow chart shown in FIG. 8 and the temperature/time diagram shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 corresponds to the solution heat treatment portion of the graph shown in FIG. 3. For descriptive purposes, the control method is described in the following by referring to the infared heating system 44 shown in FIG. 4; however, the control method can be used with other heating systems.

As described above, the wheel 10 is loaded onto the indexing carousel at station #1 and indexed into heating station #2. Then, as shown in functional block 100 in FIG. 8, the control unit 48 causes the heating system 44 to provide an initial predetermined level of heat energy to the wheel 10, causing a rapid wheel temperature rise. This is accomplished by applying a voltage to the infared emitters 52 contained in station #2, beginning at time t₀, Typically, the maximum allowable voltage is applied to the emitters 52 to provide a maximum level of heat energy to the wheel 10.

The rapid temperature rise occurs during an initial heating time period, t_(INT), as shown by a heating ramp portion 101 of the temperature/time diagram in FIG. 9. As the wheel 10 is heated, T_(W) is monitored by the temperature sensors 46, as shown in functional block 102 in FIG. 8. In the preferred embodiment of the control method, the temperature monitoring is continuous, however, the control method also can include monitoring by sensing T_(W) at a plurality of times separated by predetermined time intervals.

T_(W) is supplied to the control unit 48 and, in decision block 103, compared to a predetermined solution heat treatment (SHT) temperature, T_(SHT). T_(SHT) can be varied and a particular value is stored in the control unit 48. The particular value used for T_(SHT) is contained within a predetermined SHT temperature range. The SHT temperature range is shown as the horizontal shaded area in FIG. 9 and is bounded by a lower temperature value, T_(L), and an upper temperature value, T_(U). The particular SHT temperature range is typically narrow and a function of the particular aluminum alloy used to cast the wheel 10. As described above, a SHT temperature range for the aluminum alloy A356 from 980° F. (526° C.) to 1025° F. (552° C.) has been successfully used.

As long as T_(W) is less than T_(SHT), the wheel 10 continues to be heated at the initial predetermined level of heat energy provided by the infared emitters 52. Depending upon the particular wheel, it may be necessary to index the wheel through more than one of the heating system stations before T_(W) reaches T_(SHT).

When T_(W) reaches T_(SHT), the control unit 48 causes the voltage applied to the infared emitters 52 to be lowered. This reduces the heat energy provided by the emitters 52 to a lower predetermined level, as shown in functional block 104 in FIG. 8. Depending upon the tolerances of the sensors 46 and the control unit 48, T_(W) may slightly exceed T_(SHT) before the emitter voltage is reduced. After the emitter voltage is lowered, T_(W) typically follows a transient, as shown at 105 in FIG. 9, during which T_(W) continues to increase for a short time period and then decreases to a temperature within the SHT temperature range. It is to be appreciated that T_(W) may exceed T_(U) for a short period of time during the transient. The reduced heat energy level provided by the emitters 52 maintains T_(W) at this temperature, as shown by a generally horizontal portion 106 of the temperature/time diagram in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, T_(W) is maintained within the predetermined SHT temperature range for a predetermined solution heat treatment time period, t_(SHT), extending from the end of t_(INT) to a treatment end time, t_(END). The time period t_(SHT) can be determined from an empirical formula or from actual solution heat treatment experience. During t_(SHT), the wheel 10 continues to be indexed through the heating system 44. As shown in decision block 107, the control unit 48 monitors the time that the wheel 10 is exposed to the lowered heating level. Once t_(END) is reached, the control unit 48 ends the solution heat treatment cycle by deenergizing the infared emitters 52 which are supplying heat to the wheel 10. The production of the wheel 10 then continues as described above.

A second embodiment of the above described closed loop control method is illustrated by the flow chart shown in FIG. 10. This embodiment includes comparing the wheel temperature, T_(W), to a predetermined maximum temperature, T_(MAX), at a time occurring subsequent to the reduction of the heat energy. The temperature comparison functions to preclude overheating the wheel 10 if the heating system 44 has malfunctioned. The value of T_(MAX) is selected to be greater than T_(U) and is illustrated in FIG. 9 by the upper dashed horizontal line. Typically, T_(MAX) is 5° to 10° F. above T_(U).

As shown in functional block 110 in FIG. 10, the initial temperature T₀ of the wheel 10 is measured at t₀. This may be done at either station #1 or #2 of the heating system 44. Because the initial predetermined heating rate, r_(INT) of the heating system 44 and T_(MAX) are known, an estimated time period needed for the wheel 10 to reach T_(MAX), t, can be calculated as:

    t=(T.sub.MAX -T.sub.0)/r.sub.INT

A temperature check time t_(C) K, at which T_(W) is compared to T_(MAX), is then calculated as:

    t.sub.CK =t.sub.0 +t.

The temperature check time corresponds to the time at which T_(W) will reach T_(MAX) if the control unit 48 does not reduce the voltage applied to the infared emitters 52 when required. This potential malfunction of the control unit 48 would allow the rapid heating of the wheel 10 to continue, as illustrated by a dashed extension 108 of the heating ramp 101 in FIG. 9 to T_(MAX).

The steps shown in flowchart blocks 111 through 114 in FIG. 10 are the same as the steps shown in blocks 100 and 102 through 104 in FIG. 8. However, in functional block 115 in FIG. 10, T_(W) is measured at t_(CK), as T_(W) (t_(CK)). In decision block 116, T_(W) (T_(CK)) is compared to T_(MAX). If T_(W) (T_(CK)) is equal to or greater than T_(MAX), the control unit 48 determines that the heating system 44 has malfunctioned. Accordingly, the control sequence branches to functional block 117 to further reduce the heat energy supplied by the infared heaters 52 before the the wheel 10 melts. As an alternate, the heating system 44 can be totally shut down in functional block 117. Then in functional block 118, an alarm is signaled to alert the operators of the problem. If T_(W) (T_(CK)) is less than T_(MAX), the control method proceeds as described above to maintain the wheel 10 within the predetermined temperature range until t_(END) is reached. At t_(END), decision block 119 causes a branching of the control method to end the heating cycle.

A third embodiment of the closed loop control method is illustrated by the flow chart shown in FIG. 11. The control method is similar to that shown in FIG. 10, except that T_(W) is monitored during the time period between T_(CK) to t_(END) to assure that T_(MAX) is not exceeded. Thus, in FIG. 11, functional block 115' indicates that T_(W) is monitored beginning at T_(CK). In decision block 116', if T_(W) exceeds T_(MAX) between T_(CK) and t_(END), the control unit 48 branches to functional block 117 to further reduce the heat energy supplied to the wheel 10. As an alternate, the heating system 44 can be totally shut down in functional block 117. This protects the wheel 10 from being overheated if the control unit 48 does not sufficiently reduce the voltage to the emitters 52 when required. T_(W) can be monitored continuously, at a plurality of times separated by predetermined time intervals, or at a single predetermined time.

An alternate control method to control the heating of the wheel 10 consists of calculating an initial time period for rapid heating of the wheel 10. This initial heating time period is a function of the initial wheel temperature. The initial predetermined level of heat energy is applied to the wheel 10 for the initial heating time period, after which the amount of heat energy is reduced. Because the actual wheel temperature is not monitored during the initial heating time period, there is no feedback involved in the control method. Therefore, the alternate control method constitutes a form of open loop control.

The above described open loop control method is illustrated by the flow chart shown in FIG. 12 and the temperature/time diagram shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 12 corresponds to the solution heat treatment portion of the graph shown in FIG. 3. For descriptive purposes, the control method is again described by referring to the heating system 44 shown in FIG. 4; however, the control method can be used with other heating systems.

As described above, the wheel 10 is loaded onto the indexing carousel at station #1. As shown in functional block 120 in FIG. 12, at t₀, the wheel temperature T₀ is measured by a temperature sensor 46 and supplied to the control unit 48. An initial wheel heating time period t_(INT) for rapidly heating the wheel 10 to a predetermined temperature, T_(SHT), is then calculated by the control unit 48. The time period t_(INT) is a function of T₀. The functional relationship between t_(INT) and T_(O) is illustrated in FIG. 14 as a time/temperature curve which can be stored in the memory of the control unit 48. As in the closed loop method described above, T_(SHT) is within the SHT temperature range. The SHT temperature range is shown as a horizontal shaded area in FIG. 13 and is bounded by a lower temperature value, T_(L), and an upper temperature value, T_(U).

Once t_(INT) is calculated, a termination time, t₁, for ending the initial rapid heating of the wheel 10 can be determined (in functional block 120). Based upon the desired solution heat treatment time period, t_(SHT), a termination time, t₂, for ending the solution heat treatment can also be calculated. The time period t_(SHT) can be determined from an empirical formula or from actual solution heat treatment experience. During t_(SHT), the wheel 10 continues to be indexed through the heating system 44. Upon completion of the calculations indicated in functional block 120, the wheel 10 is indexed into station #2.

In functional block 121, the control unit 48 causes the heating system 44 to provide an initial predetermined level of heat energy to the wheel 10, causing a rapid wheel temperature rise. This is accomplished by applying a voltage to the infared emitters 52 contained in station #2, beginning at time t₀. Typically, the maximum allowable voltage is applied to the emitters 52 to provide a maximum level of heat energy to the wheel 10. This continues until t₁ is reached, as determined in decision block 123. The rapid temperature rise is shown by a heating ramp portion 122 of the time/temperature diagram between the times t₀ and t₁ in FIG. 13.

When t₁ is reached, the control unit 48 causes the voltage applied to the infared emitters 52 to be lowered. This reduces the heat energy provided by the emitters 52 to a lower predetermined level, as shown in function block 124. The lower heating level maintains T_(W) within the predetermined SHT temperature range, as shown by a generally horizontal portion 125 of the time/temperature diagram in FIG. 13. It is to be appreciated that T_(W) may exceed T_(U) for a short transient period following the voltage reduction.

Once the heating level has been reduced, the control unit 48 monitors the time that the wheel 10 is exposed to the lowered heating level, as shown in decision block 126. Upon reaching the heat treatment termination time t₂, the control unit 48 ends the heating cycle by deenergizing the infared heaters 52 which are supplying heat to the wheel 10. The production of the wheel 10 then continues as described above.

A second embodiment of the open loop control method is illustrated by the flow chart in shown in FIG. 15. The second embodiment includes comparing the wheel temperature, T_(W), to a maximum temperature, T_(MAX), after the rapid heating period to preclude overheating the wheel 10. As in the closed loop control method described above, T_(MAX) is selected to be greater than T_(U) and is illustrated in FIG. 13 by the upper dashed horizontal line. Typically, T_(MAX) is 5° to 10° F. above T_(U).

The initial portion of the control method shown in flow chart blocks 130 through 133 in FIG. 15 is the same as shown in blocks 120, 121, 123 and 124 of FIG. 12. Once t₁ is reached and the heating level has been reduced in functional block 133, T_(W) is monitored by temperature sensors 46 in functional block 134 and compared to the maximum temperature T_(MAX) in decision block 135.

If T_(W) is equal to or greater than T_(MAX), the control unit 48 determines that the heating system 44 has malfunctioned. Accordingly, the control sequence branches to functional block 136 to further reduce the heat energy supplied by the infared heaters 52 before the the wheel 10 melts. As an alternate, the heating system 44 can be totally shut down in functional block 136. Then in functional block 137, an alarm is signaled to alert the operators of the problem.

If T_(W) is less than T_(MAX) in decision block 135, the control method proceeds as described above to maintain the emitters 52 at the reduced energy level until t₂ is reached, at which time decision block 138 causes a branching of the control method to end the heating cycle. T_(W) can be monitored continuously, at a plurality of times separated by predetermined time intervals, or at a single predetermined time.

A third embodiment of the open loop control method includes determining t_(INT) as a function of both the initial wheel temperature and the wheel weight, W_(W). A first scale 140 for weighing the wheel 10 is shown in phantom at station #1 in FIG. 4; however, the scale could be located at station #2 or entirely separate from the heating system 44.

The functional relationship between t_(INT) and T₀ and W_(W) is illustrated in FIG. 16 as a family of time/weight curves which can be stored in the memory of the control unit 48. Each time/weight curve corresponds to a particular T₀, shown as T₀₁, T₀₂, and T₀₃, and provides t_(INT) as a function of W_(W). In FIG. 16, T₀₁ is greater than T₀₂ and T₀₂ is greater than T₀₃. The three time/weight lines shown in FIG. 16 are meant to be illustrative, more or less time/weight lines can be used in a particular application.

In the third embodiment, the wheel is weighed and both the weight and initial temperature are supplied to the control unit 48. The control unit 48 then uses the curves of FIG. 16 to determine t_(INT). Additionally, only the wheel weight, W_(W), could be used to determine the initial heating time period, t_(INT).

While the above control methods have been described in terms of solution heat treatment of a wheel, the methods are also applicable to other heat treating processes, such as aging of a wheel. The closed loop and open loop control methods are directly applicable to the aging process by using the temperature sensors 46 in the aging process portion of the heating system 44 to measure T_(W). A second scale 140 is shown in phantom at station #7, to allow use of the third embodiment of the open loop control method for aging the wheel 10 independently of the control method used for the solution heat treatment of the wheel 10.

It should be noted that, while the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described as using electric infrared heating, in some instances gas-fired infrared heating, or induction heating, could be used with similar satisfactory results.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been described and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for heat treating an alloy vehicle wheel comprising the steps of:(a) providing a solution heat treatment apparatus, the apparatus including a first portion having a plurality of infrared emitters for rapidly heating the wheel to a temperature within a solution heat treatment temperature range and a second portion for maintaining the wheel temperature within the solution heat treatment temperature range; (b) loading a vehicle wheel formed from a selected alloy into the first portion of the apparatus; (c) supplying heat energy to the wheel from the infrared emitters at a level to rapidly heat the wheel to the temperature within the solution heat treatment temperature range; (d) moving the wheel from the first portion of the apparatus to the second portion of the apparatus; (e) supplying heat energy to the wheel in the second portion of the apparatus to maintain the wheel temperature within the solution heat treatment temperature range for a solution heat treatment time period; (f) immediately following the solution heat treatment time period, quenching the wheel; and (g) aging the wheel.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first portion of the apparatus in step (a) includes a plurality of heating stations and in step (c) the wheel is sequentially indexed through the stations, the wheel being retained at each station for a time period.
 3. The method according to claim 1wherein the second portion of the apparatus in step (a) includes a plurality of heating stations and in step (d) the wheel is sequentially indexed through the stations, the wheel being retained at each station for a time period.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of the apparatus in step (a) includes a plurality of infrared emitters for supplying heat energy to the wheel.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (c) includes sensing the wheel temperature while the wheel is located in the first portion and controlling the heat energy supplied by the infrared emitters as a function of the sensed wheel temperature.
 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) includes sensing an initial wheel temperature prior to loading the wheel into the first portion of the apparatus and controlling the heat energy supplied by the infrared emitters as a function of the initial wheel temperature.
 7. The method according to claim 6 including weighing the wheel in step (b) prior to loading the wheel into the first portion of the apparatus and wherein the initial wheel heating time period also is a function of the wheel weight.
 8. The method according to claim 7 including storing a plurality of initial heating time period vs. wheel weight curves, each curve for an initial wheel temperature, and wherein step (b) includes selecting one of the the curves for calculating the initial wheel heating time period.
 9. The method according to claim 1 including weighing the wheel in step (b) prior to loading the wheel into the first portion of the apparatus and controlling the heat energy supplied by the infrared emitters as a function of the wheel weight.
 10. The method according to claim 1 including rotating the wheel in step (c) relative to the emitters to evenly distribute the infrared radiation therethrough.
 11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus in step (a) includes a first group of infrared emitters for directing heat energy towards the wheel in a first direction and a second group of infrared emitters for directing heat energy towards the wheel in a second direction, the second direction being nonparallel to the first direction. 